BLACK SHRIKE. 189 



and female alternately, seated on two trees, perhaps 

 on the opposite sides of a road ; thus : The 

 Mountain Dick calls, and the Judy immediately 

 answers; then a little pause; another call from 

 the Mountain Dick, and an instant answer from 

 Judy ; until, after a few successions, the Judy gal- 

 lantly yields the point, and flies over to the other 

 tree to join his friend. In February, I have heard 

 it repeating a note somewhat like che-w. 



This species is bold and fierce in self-defence, 

 the female no less than the male. On several oc- 

 casions, when I have shot, and but slightly wounded, 

 one, it would make vigorous efforts to escape by 

 running; but on being taken in the hand and 

 held by the legs, it would elevate the crown fea- 

 thers, turn the head up and bite fiercely at my 

 fingers, seizing and pinching the flesh with all its 

 force ; striving at the same time to clutch with 

 its claws, and screaming vociferously. I have never 

 seen it pursue other birds in the aggressive man- 

 ner of the true Tyrants ; nor, as far as I am aware, 

 does it capture insects in the air, notwithstand- 

 ing that the rictus is defended by stiff bristles. 

 Stationary insects are usually the contents of the 

 stomach, particularly large bugs, (Pentatoma) and 

 caterpillars, and sometimes the eggs of insects. In 

 the winter the berries of the Bursera or Tropic 

 Birch, constitute a large portion of its food. 



In April the Judy begins to arrange the do- 

 mestic economy of the season ; and if the cradle 

 of his young is not so elaborate a structure as 

 some others, it makes up in quantity what it lacks 



